Wondering how the iPhone looked in early stages, just before it made it to the market? Now, you can have a piece of it! There’s an auction on eBay for iPhone Prototype (!!).

Not only you’ll get a single prototype, but two of them! Though the second piece doesn’t seem to work but it just needs the right hardware expert.

The seller seems to have done his homework as well to prove these phones no fake! Each of the phones has an early version of the OS installed, version 03.06.01G, which is way older than the 03.11.02G version, found in the first iPhones released. Based on the serial number, the phones were manufactured in Week 49 and Week 50 in 2006 (iPhone was announced in January 2007…)

Finally, the Prototype that works has a pretty neat functionality. It can make and receive calls with an AT&T sim, receive messages (you can only send 5 template messages included), surf mobile versions of sites and even the Camera functions. It cannot be synced with the iTunes being a prototype (seems that they added the syncing functionality later).

Otherwise, these pieces look exactly the same as the iPhone released except for the fact that they do not have iPhone or capacity engraved on the back. Another difference is that the second non-working prototype houses a plastic screen instead of the glass in the other. The back of this phone also has some text.

This device has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be offered for sale, or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained. Serial No. YM65002JD22 IMEI No.:004401520034774

The current bid is $2295 and the auction lasts till 11th March 8:00 PM PDT but I won't mind spending that money (if I had) on these rare possessions.

Originally Posted by Bob

I will pay thousands for this! It will easily become something museums will be interested in one day. Please don’t bid against me.

A noticeable fact is that the OS pics are quite similar to the diagnostic mode ones revealed in iPod Touch by iLounge. These phones seem to have belonged to a MacRumors member in early January in this year.

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